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Accomplishments

During the past 16 years that we have worked in the Deschutes Basin, the DRC has accomplished more than any other streamflow restoration group in the Columbia River region. 


The Middle Deschutes, one of the most sensitive reaches of the river, historically ran dry in the summer months. Collaborative work with stakeholders to restore water back to the river has allowed the Middle Deschutes to maintain healthy streamflows throughout the year.

Restoration and Reintroduction Milestones in the Deschutes Basin

An unprecedented effort is underway in the Deschutes Basin to reintroduce steelhead and salmon. Since the Pelton Round Butte Hydro-Electric Project was built in the 1960s, these anadromous fish have been blocked from the Deschutes Basin above the dams. Over the past several years, the DRC and our partners have been working to restore and maintain the watershed conditions necessary for successful salmon and steelhead reintroduction.

2011 was a very encouraging year for these reintroduction efforts. In early 2011, Portland General Electric, The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation and the State of Oregon celebrated the return of the first adult steelhead from the 2007 reintroduction. Additionally, major flow restoration milestones were achieved on both Whychus Creek and the Crooked River.

A healthy watershed and a thriving ecosystem are the keys to our future here in the Deschutes Basin. When we have healthy rivers, streams and lakes, we know we can support the diverse needs of people and wildlife.





 






Key Restoration Highlights




Crooked River: Largest Water Conservation Project in Oregon’s History
This winter, we broke ground with North Unit Irrigation District on the first phase of the largest streamflow restoration initiative in Oregon’s history. When completed, this initiative will restore up to 220 cubic feet per second of streamflow to the Crooked River running through Smith Rock State Park. This reach of the Crooked River has historically suffered from poor water quality and a degraded ecosystem. This initiative will benefit the region’s agricultural economy while permanently improving conditions for fish, wildlife, and recreation.



Whychus Creek: Permenant Restoration Achieved
Flowing through the town of Sisters, Whychus Creek historically ran dry during the irrigation season causing fish and wildlife populations to suffer. Working with Three Sisters Irrigation District and Oregon Water Resources Department, the DRC implemented a series of water conservation projects and water rights transfers to eventually protect over 20 cubic feet per second (cfs) of instream water rights in the creek. Maintaining a healthy year-round flow in the creek is vital to efforts currently underway to restore salmon and steelhead to Whychus Creek.



Fish Tower: Successful Passage for Steelhead and Salmon
The fish tower at the Pelton Round Butte Dam Complex located at Lake Billy Chinook draws water from the surface and from the bottom of Lake Billy Chinook. This changes the currents in the lake to draw fish toward the tower and into the fish collection facility. After being reintroduced into Whychus Creek and the Crooked River in 2007 and migrating out to the ocean, the first adult chinook and steelhead returned to the Deschutes in 2011. This is very encouraging for the success of fish reintroduction efforts in the Deschutes Basin.
Deschutes River Conservancy, 700 NW Hill Street, Bend, OR 97701, 541.382.4077

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